We put another Chinese-built contender to the test, the QJMOTOR SRT 900 SX, to see whether it lives up to the promises made by its manufacturer, local dealers and distributor, Kawasaki Motors South Africa.
It was already deep autumn, but the rain simply refused to let up. I will admit to feeling slightly apprehensive about climbing onto an unfamiliar motorcycle for the first time on wet tar, in long-weekend traffic, no less.
Still, there are machines to test and stories to tell, whatever the weather.
The QJMOTOR SRT 900 SX immediately makes its presence felt. Settling into the seat – and it really is too comfortable to be called a saddle – I became acutely aware of the bike’s physical size.
Looking down over the broad tank and the high-resolution TFT display, it feels bigger than what one imagines a 900cc machine to be. It has the stance of a serious adventure tourer.
Farmer’s Weekly had the bike on loan for a long weekend from Motorcycle Mecca in Gezina, Pretoria. Owner Tyrone Thomas gave me a quick, but thorough rundown of the various riding modes and electronic functions before I set off.
Given the conditions, we agreed that ‘Rain’ mode would be the sensible option for the trip home. It proved to be an excellent decision. From the moment I eased into traffic until I parked in my garage, the SRT 900 SX inspired confidence.
At one point, brake lights flared suddenly ahead of me during a minor pile-up on a faster section of road. I braked hard.
No sliding, no drama, no white-knuckle moment. The Brembo brakes, Bosch ABS, and traction control worked seamlessly. ‘Rain’ mode does tame the 904cc parallel-twin noticeably, but the trade-off in security is worth it.
By the time I reached home, my initial apprehension had disappeared. The bike simply makes you feel safe, and that counts for a great deal in everyday riding.
Standing back in the garage for a proper look, I had to admit something else: my quiet suspicion that a R170 000 adventure bike this well specified might be a flimsy heap of plastic and tin was entirely unfounded. The finish, the hardware, and the overall build quality impressed.
Performance in the real world
If we want to split hairs, some will argue that a ‘proper’ adventure bike should have a 21” front wheel. The SRT 900 SX runs a 19” front and 17” rear wire-spoked, tubeless setup, a configuration that strikes a practical balance between tar and gravel. For most South African riders, that balance makes sense.
Standard crash bars come fitted from the factory, always a reassuring sight on an adventure machine. As a friend once joked: if you’re standing at the dealer and the salesman dives to catch the bike when it tips, you know it’s not really an adventure bike. The SRT wears its protective bars proudly.
The one area where protection could be more substantial is underneath the engine. The exhaust routing effectively acts as a bash plate, but that would make for an expensive bash plate if it took a proper knock.
On gravel highways, the Marzocchi suspension impressed. Even on reasonably rough surfaces, it remained composed and predictable. This is not a lightweight enduro machine, but it handles farm roads, jeep tracks, and long dirt stretches comfortably.
With a curb weight of around 257kg, you feel the mass at very low speeds, yet once moving, the weight disappears remarkably well.
The SRT is not designed for highly technical mountain trails or particularly challenging loose gravel and rocky tracks. Instead, it excels as a long-distance tourer, ideal for riders who enjoy covering serious mileage in comfort, with the confidence to tackle the occasional dirt road, or a moderately rough jeep track along the way.
After a bit of searching on the Internet, we found the button on the left handlebar that cancels the traction control. What a joy! We could now do some fun riding with the bike on an open dirt patch, and the 900 responded with enthusiasm.
Power and performance
The 904cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine produces 70kW at 9 000rpm and 90Nm of torque at 6 500rpm.
It is not a fire-breathing superbike motor, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it delivers linear, usable power ideal for commuting, touring and relaxed overtaking on open roads.
International test riders have described the power delivery as ‘torquey’ through the mid-range, though slightly softer low down.
That aligns with my own experience. It is smooth, predictable and confidence-inspiring rather than aggressive.
The six-speed gearbox with quick-shifter works well, and ride-by-wire throttle control supports multiple riding modes, including ‘Rain’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’, allowing the rider a tailor response to conditions.
Safety and technology
One of the SRT 900 SX’s strongest selling points is the sheer amount of standard equipment. Heated grips and a heated seat come fitted, so does cruise control, blind spot monitoring, a rear anti-collision radar (market dependent), tyre-pressure monitoring, and even a built-in forward-facing dash camera.
The 7” full-colour TFT display is clear and intuitive, with Bluetooth connectivity and USB charging ports (both A and C) available. On a cold highveld morning commute or a long Karoo trip, those comforts would make a tangible difference.
Braking performance from the Brembo set-up – dual 320mm front discs and 260mm rear disks – is strong and progressive, backed by Bosch ABS and traction control that can be adjusted or disengaged depending on riding conditions.
Touring ready from day one
Unlike many competitors that require expensive add-ons, the SRT 900 SX arrives adventure-ready. Three-piece hard luggage (two panniers and a top case) is included as standard, along with crash bars and an adjustable touring windscreen.
A centre stand makes maintenance easier, something practical riders will appreciate.
It took a bit of effort and practice to get the bike onto the stand at first, but once you realise that you need to lift the bike using one of the lower struts on the pannier bracket, it gets off the floor pretty easily.
The ergonomics are upright and relaxed. At 835mm seat height, most riders will find it manageable, and the 24ℓ fuel tank promises serious range for those long stretches between towns.
Final thoughts
The QJMOTOR SRT 900 SX positions itself as a midweight adventure touring benchmark, and in many respects it delivers.
It offers a remarkable level of standard specification, solid build quality, and reassuring road functionality at a price that undercuts many established competitors.
It is not a lightweight off-road weapon. Nor is it an ultra-high-performance sports machine.
What it is, however, is a capable, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring adventure tourer ideally suited to South African conditions, commuting during the week, exploring gravel roads on weekends, and perhaps even crossing a province when time allows.
For riders who split their time between tar and dirt, town and veld, and have to keep to a limited budget, the SRT 900 SX makes a compelling case.
The bike certainly made me reconsider my approach to riding, perhaps embracing a slightly less adrenaline-driven, challenging pace.
As I grow older, and just slightly less adventurous, this might definitely not be the end of the world, or the youngster in me.
Specifications at a glance
Engine: 904cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, DOHC, 8 valves
Power: 70kW @ 9 000rpm
Torque: 90Nm @ 6 500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed with quick-shifter
Fuel system: EFI
Front suspension: USD fork (Marzocchi, adjustable)
Rear suspension: Adjustable monoshock
Front brake: Dual 320mm discs (ABS)
Rear brake: 260mm disc (ABS)
Front tyre: 110/80 R19
Rear tyre: 150/70 R17
Seat height: 835mm
Ground clearance: 210mm
Curb weight: ±257kg
Fuel capacity: 24ℓ
Standard features include:
Heated grips and seat, cruise control, TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, hard luggage set, crash bars, centre stand, traction control, ABS, TPMS, USB charging ports.
